Avoid defenders? Not Carlos Rogers, Wenonah’s QB

arlos Rogers prefers to deliver hits as opposed to taking tackles. That makes this Wenonah standout one of the Birmingham area’s toughest quarterbacks.

Rogers may also be the most accomplished area quarterback whose Friday night heroics are unsung.

After all, Rogers led Wenonah last season to the Class 5A state championship game with his usual mixture of accurate passes and intimidating scrambles. Yes, intimidating, the way he ran into the jerseys of Briarwood Christian defenders during the state semifinals, setting a tone matched by his teammates.

At 6-0, 200 pounds, Rogers is a running back under center. And when he runs, he refuses to dodge defenders. No way. He meets them head-on. After contact, he continues to move forward.

Rogers wants Wenonah to move forward too. Last season’s state title game appearance has not soothed his state title desires.

“ ’Why not us,’ ” Rogers said. “That was the thing we’d say (last season) right before the end of practice. ‘Why we can’t make it? Because we’re a Birmingham city school?’

“We put a chip on our shoulder. But now, we need to put another one on there so we can make it again. This time, hopefully win.”